Joy The Baker

She is self-taught and grew up in the kitchen in between her father, who makes a mean Sweet Potato Pie, and her mother, who makes a really weird purple hot dog casserole dont ask. Between her kitchen loving parents, the clinking cake pans, and the flying flour, it became clear that baking is in her blood.

She lives in Los Angeles, by the beach, where she does a majority of her living, working, eating, cocktailing and related horsing around.

She loved and appreciated food from a young age and was taught by her parents how to cook. Before settling down in Venice and becoming a full-time blogger, Wilson traveled and worked in several cities across the United States, including Burlington, Vt., Miami and Seattle, and earned a degree in English literature from Cal State Northridge.

The food featured on the blog is driven by what inspires Wilson and what she wants to eat herself. She says that what makes her blog stand out is her ability to connect with readers. "There is a voice beyond the food. I express a lightness and vulnerability in my writing. My readers can relate to me, whether I break up with a boy, am going to a party, or a trip to the market."

Since starting the blog almost six years ago, Wilson has also co-founded (with Michael Friedman) Homefries, a website dedicated to creating podcasts on food, family, wine, design and community. The partnership started in 2010, and Joy the Baker is on its 20th episode. Wilson co-hosts the show with Shutterbean's Tracy Benjamin and says that "ideas for the podcast come from our Twitter followers, awkward conversations, real-life experiences, which overlaps with cooking and eating. We try to keep the show loose and relatable."